Abstract: The anatomy of secondary phloem and periderm of four host species of Laccifer lacca (Kerr) Targ., Dalbergia obtusifolia Prain, D. balansae Prain, Ca]anus cajan (L.) Mill sp. and Acacia glauca (L.) Moench is described. Their secondary phloem consists of sieve tube members, companion ceils, parenchyma cells and fibres. In addition Ca]anus cajan and Acacia glauca have some sclereids in the secondary phloem. In Acacia glauca the sieve tube members have oblique end walls with compound sieve plates and lack conspicuous P-protein. In the other species the sieve tubes have horizontal end walls with simple sieve plates, and contain P-protein. According to the analysis of survey result: 1. A thin phellem or only an epidermis of 2–3 years old branches can be considered as one of the insect's condition for selecting branches; 2. The sieve tubes seem to be relatively long-lived in the four species. This probably represents another condition for selection by the insects; 3. In three of the four hosts, the sieve tubes and companion ceils belong to a highly specialized type.

Key words: Laccifer lacca, Dalbergia obtusi/olia, D. balansae, Caianus cajan, Acacia glauca, Phloem, Periderm